2022 VW Taos Arrives Next Summer To Battle The Chevy Trailblazer And Kia Seltos

Consumers have an insatiable appetite for crossovers and Volkswagen is responding by introducing the 2022 Taos.

Designed to slot beneath the Tiguan, the Taos is a compact crossover that is “small in stature, but big on value.”

While the model looks a little plain, it features a wide grille and sweptback headlights. Higher end variants go a step further as they feature LED lights which extend into the grille via an illuminated light bar.

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Elsewhere, designers installed sporty skid plates and plastic body cladding. The Taos also has squared off wheel arches and a greenhouse which closely resembles the Tiguan.

Out back, there’s an angled liftgate with an integrated spoiler. We can also see wraparound taillights and faux dual exhaust system. Eight different colors will be available and wheels range in sizes from 17- to 19-inches.

In terms of size, the Taos measures 175.8 inches (4,465 mm) long, 72.5 inches (1,842 mm) wide and 64.4 inches (1,636 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 105.9 inches (2,690 mm). That makes the model slightly larger than the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Kia Seltos.

Moving into the cabin, the Taos has a minimalist interior with clean lines and straightforward controls. Volkswagen didn’t go into specifics, but confirmed the model will come standard with a digital instrument cluster and two-tone cloth seats.

Higher end variants feature an 8-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger and a ten color ambient lighting system. Other options include a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power driver’s seat and an 8-speaker premium audio system. Buyers can also get heated / ventilated front seats, a dual-zone climate control system and leather or leatherette upholstery.

Thanks to the crossover’s sizeable dimensions, the Taos has a roomy interior with 37.9 inches (963 mm) of rear seat legroom. The luggage compartment holds 28.1 cubic feet (796 liters) of cargo, but that can be expanded to 66.3 cubic feet (1,877 liters) by folding the rear seats down.

Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 158 hp (118 kW / 160 PS) and 184 lb-ft (249 Nm) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional and it sees the eight-speed automatic replaced by a seven-speed DSG gearbox.

On the safety front, there’s a multitude of driver assistance systems including Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and an Active Blind Spot Monitor. There’s also Travel Assist, Emergency Assist, High Beam Control and a Lane Keeping System.

The 2022 Taos will be launched in the United States next summer and available in three different trims. Full details will be announced closer to launch, but the model should cost thousands less than the Tiguan which begins at $24,945.